History of NCC National Carousels Clubs

National Carousels History Page History of NCC National Carousels Clubs Written by Jack Lane, URDC Carousel Chairman, 2006

National Carousels History Page 2 Table Of Contents NCC Beginnings---------------------------Page 3 Early Clubs --------------------------------Page 3 Early Organizations ----------------------Page 3 Rules and Regulations -------------------Page 3 Summary of Rules ---------------------Page 4 Application Procedure-----------------Page 4 Rule Changes --------------------------Page 4 Club Recognitions ------------------------Page 5 Membership Certificates --------------Page 5 Badges----------------------------------Page 5 Logos -----------------------------------Page 6 NCC Repertoire Of Dances---------------Page 6 NRDBR Reference Manual ---------------Page 6 NCC R/D Teaching Guide ----------------Page 7 NCC Monthly Newsletter-----------------Page 8 Current Reports------------------------Page 8 Monthly Reporting -----------------------Page 9 E-mail -----------------------------------Page 9 Reminders------------------------------Page 9 Flash Reports --------------------------Page 9 Website Publication----------------------Page 9 NCC 1990 International Roster ---------Page 10 Purposes--------------------------------Page 10 Club Listings ---------------------------Page 10 Teaching Awards ----------------------Page 11 Achievement Awards------------------Page 11 1 st National R/D Festival ----------------Page 12 Idea Conceived ---------------------------Page 12 Planning For 1 st National Festival----Page 12 Flyers for 1 st Festival------------------Page 13 Planning For Future Nat l Festivals --Page 14 URDC Future Conventions------------Page 14 Chronological History of NCC -----------Page 14 Credits-------------------------------------Page 15 NCC Roster 2006 (active & inactive)---page 16 Current Status of Clubs------------------Page 25

National Carousels History Page 3 NCC BEGINNINGS The National Carousel Clubs organization (NCC) was founded by Frank & Iris Gilbert. They began teaching round dancing in 1954 and eventually moved to Largo, Florida in 1971 from Kansas City and took over an existing advanced-level round dance club. The Gilberts suggested expanding this club into a national organization and in 1972 it became NCC #1. The goal was to obtain more recognition for and participation in the Round Dance movement for higher level dancing. Before then, higher level dancing had never been recognized as a separate, pleasurable group activity. At lower levels, Round Dancing had been tied in with Square Dancing mostly as in-between tip fillers. The original concept was to have clubs nationwide that danced the same "high intermediate to advanced dance material, which was published in a newsletter, allowing dancers to dance anywhere in the country. EARLY CLUBS The NCC idea caught on like wildfire and new clubs were formed in Florida and then in Michigan, Kansas and so on in rapid succession going national, and then international. In the first 4 months, 18 clubs joined; in the first year, 34 clubs; after 3 years, 44 clubs; after 7 years 1979, 120 clubs; by 1989, 235 clubs; and by 1995, 256 clubs were sanctioned. EARLY ORGANIZATION OFFICERS Frank & Iris Gilbert were the originators and driving force behind NCC. Frank was the President and Chairman of the Corporation and he managed Organization, Development, Technical Direction, Newsletter Editor and they typed the mailing labels. George & Bernice Baur: 1972+ Vice President & Treasurer. Carl & Rhea Block: 1973+ Printed and mailed NCC Newsletter; and managed new club applications. Jim Truloc, printer 1972+: Printed, assembled & mailed Reference Manual. Lloyd & Nan Walker: Chairman/Coordinators of Dance Teaches Listed in Newsletter. Al Boyd: prepared monthly reports for URDC newsletter. RULES AND REGULATIONS The original NCC rules were very restrictive and were strictly enforced by Frank Gilbert. Clubs were given a degree of exclusivity, assuring that no other National Carousel Club would be formed within 50 miles of another club. The NCC presented a copy of its rules to each new club. They were expected to abide by those regulations. It was called Operation Rules, Policies and Principal Goals of the National Carousels Round Dance Organization

National Carousels History Page 4 Two copies of the rules were made available for this story. One was dated October 1976. The other was not dated and was probably used in the 80s. Lloyd Walker was shown as coordinator Dance Teaches, so it was before 1990. The rules were fairly consistent during the 70s and 80s. Summary Of Rules: 1) Teach beginner classes and provide higher level dancing opportunities. 2) Emphasize Advanced Level Dancing. Use Cue Terms and eliminate step cueing (added later). 3) Teach dances that are popular with other clubs. 4) Report monthly Teaches for newsletter publication. 5) Utilize basic standards of the NCC R/D Encyclopedia & Reference Manual (added later). 6) Club Rules: Not within 50 miles of another NCC, No cannibalizing, Wear NCC badges, 7) Follow rules or resign (added later). 8) Purchase and maintain NCC Reference Manual (added later). Application Procedure Rule Changes Each leader had to apply through the Gilbert's with documentation that they danced the higher material. Frank, and only Frank, made the decision as to whether or not a leader was "allowed" to join the National Carousel family. He would then send a welcome letter to them after their application and status forms had been accepted. It is assumed that the basic NCC rules probably did not change significantly during the Gilbert s reign from 1972 to 1993. In July 1999, when URDC took over NCC, the rules were incorporated into URDC Bylaws Section 17. The goals were probably not altered but some of the rules were changed to emphasize higher dance levels. The wording was definitely revised. 1. Conduct beginner classes - omitted. 2. Standardization of basics omitted as an NCC requirement. 3. Use NCC Reference Manual omitted. 4. Rules to handle violations retained. Rules Changed in 2001 In July 2001, the NCC rules were simplified into a softer and gentler set of Guidelines by Jack Lane, then URDC Carousel Committee Chairman. The R/D community was shrinking in numbers of dancers; and dancers were getting older and were having to drive farther; dances were getting more difficult; clubs were disappearing from major cities. It was hoped that by becoming more inclusive rather than restrictive, that more clubs might become Carousels. Shall s were changed to should so the desired requirements would be inferred, but not enforced.

National Carousels History Page 5 The URDC Website in 2001 summarized the simpler Carousel rules: Any round dance group can be a URDC Carousel Club, if they promote Round Dancing at the intermediate and advanced levels, if they promote a common repertoire of dances that is generally taught and programmed across the Round Dance community, if they are willing to report monthly dance favorites and teaches, if the leaders are members of URDC, if they do not meet on the same night as an existing Carousel Club that is within 35 miles, if they dance at least 5% phase VI, And purposes were stated as: Promote round dancing at the intermediate and advanced levels and to promote a common repertoire of dances that is generally taught and programmed across the Round Dance community through the publication of club teaching activities and most popular routines. In 2006 there was an considered movement to include even more clubs under the Carousel umbrella, by inviting all clubs that dance at levels higher than S/D level. CLUB RECOGNITIONS The Gilberts tried to give recognition to Carousel Clubs in his newsletter and other ways. A welcome letter was sent to all new clubs welcoming them into the fellowship of Carousels. (This is now performed as an announcement in the URDC Newsletter and in an e-mail message to all club leaders and online in the Weavers forum). Certificate of Membership: A gold certificate was issued to each new club, suitable for framing. It included the Carousel Chapter Number and the NCC seal, signed by the Gilberts. Badges: Badges were promoted by the NCC. Complimentary mini badges were provided for leaders and application blanks provided for club members. Badges cost $1.63 each in the 70s. Badges should have been made in accordance with a drawing specified by NCC. Design for a Banner was also available-->> <<--Standard size badges.

National Carousels History Page 6 Logos: The same basic red/white umbrella logos seem to have been used all during the Gilberts reign. After URDC took over NCC, the logo was changed somewhat. A combination URDC/NCC logo was utilized for the URDC newsletter (farside) and for Carousel Reports (nearside). NCC REPERTOIRE OF DANCES Item #3 of the NCC Rules encouraged clubs to teach dances that were popular with other clubs. The purpose was to prepare dancers to be able to dance anywhere within the Carousel world. The NCC received newly choreographed cue sheets and distributed then to Carousel Clubs for them to practice. Dave Draper, of NCC #79, inherited from Bea Adams after her death, a binder marked "National Carousel Cue Sheets" that is largely filled with cue sheets. They were sent by Carl Bloch or in some instances from Frank Gilbert. Dave thinks they are NCC recommended dances because the cue sheets seem to have been sent to all Carousel clubs from the home office and in that sense became "NCC recommended Dances. In May 1974, NCC published to all clubs a list of new dances released during the last year. Leaders returned the list marked with the dances they had taught. NCC then published a summary showing how many clubs had taught the dances. This was probably the forerunner of their newsletter. NRDBR - REFERENCE MANUAL NATIONAL ROUND DANCE BOARD OF REVIEW In 1972 the Gilberts, with help of Jim Trulock, began designing and assembling a round dance reference manual. Gilbert was to author and prepare pages and Trulock was to print, assemble and mail the documents. The Gilberts wanted to be knowledgeable so they could develop meaningful manuals. They spent three years earning their Bronze, Silver & Gold qualifications in Ballroom and they took private lessons from Alex Moore in England and from Bill & Bobbie Irvine, who were world champions for four years. They talked 45 times by trans-oceanic telephone with Alex Moore about the manual pages and later, in 1984, made a trip up and down the coasts of South America studying Latin dancing. They collected 83 dance books from around the world. In 1973 the Gilberts asked the existing NCC leaders to study each manual page as it was developed to assure it would fit their needs. This group of 25 Carousel teachers was organized as the National Round Dance Board of Review. Betty & Irv Easterday were the only members who were still active in 2005.

National Carousels History Page 7 The goal of the NRDBR was to study all avenues of R/D activity and set standards.. The board was later reduced to 15 members and the name was apparently changed to Carousel Technical Review Board. The manual had not been published as of May 1974. The National Round Dance Board of Review (NRDBR) was basically a subset of the NCCs and was also a Frank Gilbert run organization. After 1977 when the Universal Round Dance Council was formed, the manual name was changed and it was sold under the heading of URDC. URDC gave Gilbert the forum with which to publish the material he was developing. Frank Gilbert served on the Board of URDC until 1985 and apparently controlled the manual until then. When he left, he copyrighted his version and URDC began re-writing their own version of a figure manual. In 1983 the organization was known as the Technical Advisory Board. Between 1986 and 1990 under Brent Moore s URDC leadership, the name was changed to TAC: Technical Advisory Committee. The URDC version was first printed in early 90s. It is reported that the NCC version had 444 pages and only needed 57 more pages to include all the basics used in the 11 rhythms for round dancing. Copies of article II and III were sent to Bea Adams in Nov & Dec of 1977 by Carl Bloch of Clearwater, FL. Frank Hubener s name was written on the envelope. NCC ROUND DANCE TEACHING GUIDE Progressive Listings of the Basics of All Rhythms For Training at All Levels The Gilberts published their Teaching Guide in a 46 page typed listing of R/D figures in different sections for Beginners, One-Step, Two-Step, Waltz (American, International & Viennese), Tango (Argentine & International), Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Rumba, Quickstep, Jive, Paso Doble and Samba. Each section has a description of the rhythm and its history. The Beginner section defined round dancing and explained etiquette and dance positions and who is boss. Copies of this booklet were loaned by the Bahrs and Dottie Griffiths; the Bahrs said they never used it. It is not dated and may have been included in the NCC Reference Manual. Roundalab has a similar publication; it probably took over this area of education for the round dance community.

National Carousels History Page 8 NCC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER The NCC monthly newsletter began in October 1973 by the Gilberts with help from Carl & Rhea Block to help bring a better exchange of dance information throughout the NCC organization. It identified the top 16 dances as polled and a listing of the dances taught by each leader during the previous month. These two items are still similarly published in 2005, although the format has changed somewhat and additional statistics are reported. After the NCC was absorbed by URDC, the Carousel Reports were transferred to the URDC newsletter and were posted on the URDC website and were e-mailed to all NCC leaders.

National Carousels History Page 9 MONTHLY REPORTING Reporting of monthly club activities has always been a requirement for NCC. Rule #4 said:. Participate and help by reporting on time monthly teaches so that they can be included in the monthly newsletter. Leaders would clip out a form from the monthly newsletter and fill in the dances they had taught and danced since the last report. Then they mailed the form to the Carousel Teach Coordinator to be analyzed and included in the newsletter. By the time the dancers got to read their newsletter, the news was quite old, sometimes three months old!. Normally a month s activities would be reported by the 26 th of the 1 st month. The tabulated results would be sent by snail-mail and the Editor would paste up the newsletter and take it to the printer, who would print it and put it in the mail. Dancers usually received it around the 10 th of the 3 rd month. Sometimes the reports from leaders would arrive too late to be included in the next month s newsletter because they had waited for the previous newsletter to arrive with the new report form. This would add another month to that report. E-Mail E-mail was the methodology that improved the reporting time. It came into play about 1999 when NCC leaders adopted computer technology. That, along with a more efficient printing source, allowed the total time to be reduced from 7 weeks to 4 weeks. Instead of waiting for a blank in the newsletter, leaders sent their reports by e-mail. E-mail allowed the completed camera-ready reports to be sent to the Newsletter Editor instantaneously, rather than by snail-mail. The files are converted to PDF format and sent as an e-mail attachment; the Editor then prints the files and pastes them into the newsletter layout. Reminders For Monthly Reports Reminders have been sent to teachers since e-mail became popular. The Carousel Chairman sends reminders to all leaders who have not reported by the end of each month. Another reminder was found to be needed to get the most responses; it has been sent about 5 days later. Flash Reports Flash Reports have been sent also since e-mail became popular. After the leaders reports have been summarized and forwarded to the Newsletter Editor or Website Manager, the summary is sent as a PDF attachment to all Carousel leaders. Many leaders use these reports to plan their dance programs and they make copies available to their club members. WEBSITE PUBLICATION The URDC website was implemented in July 2002 for all NCC monthly reports and other organizational information published online. The internet address is http://www.danceurdc.org/html/main.htm.

National Carousels History Page 10 NCC INTERNATIONAL ROSTER 1990 In 1990 the NCC International Roster was published. It was probably the only one printed of that magnitude. A 1974 copy is available that is just a 6-page typed listing. Purposes: 1. to show and recognize the teacher/leaders who participated and trained dancers since the beginning; 2. to provide a guide that may be used in traveling to encourage visiting and dancing with Carousel Clubs in many areas. The booklet has 141 total pages, is completely hand typewritten, 11 x17 folded and stapled and must have been an enormous project for the NCC organization. It was rumored that the NCC organization did not take in enough monies to pay its expenses. The Gilberts probably funded this entire project personally. This map was in the center. It shows locations of all clubs in 1990. CLUB LISTINGS: The main purpose was as an International Roster of NCC teacher/leaders. Therefore the largest section was of the leaders. In the front are two indexes: one alphabetical by Leader Names, and one listed by State. Each index shows a page number and also whether the leader is Current or Past. Sample Leader Listing - Frank & Iris Gilbert 327 leaders are represented, including subsequent leaders of each club. They are labeled 1 st Leader, 2 nd Leader, etc. Each leader had a 1/3 page spot. There are photos of each leader couple along with a brief history of the club and leaders, date started, etc. These listings occupy 109 pages.

National Carousels History Page 11 TEACHING AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: 13 pages of certificates were included in the 1990 Roster that recognized NCC Teachers for their dedicated efforts in teaching and training couples to round dance. This was another of Frank s little ticklers to provide some recognition and incentive to the NCC leaders. NCC TEACHING AWARD: This award lists the number of years each leader had dedicated to teaching round dancing. (Some since 1952) The awards are in 5-year increments with Silver or Gold ratings with 1, 2, or 3 stars. The highest was 43 years. Irv & Betty Easterday (37 yrs) are the only listed teachers that have an active NC Club today, that had over 30 years in 1990. NCC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: This award lists the number of beginner couples that each NCC teacher/leader had taught as of 1990. The aggregate total for all teachers was 61,936 couples. The awards had Bronze, Silver or Gold ratings with 1, 2, or 3 stars. The highest was the Gilberts with 1191 couples. The only current NCC leaders who taught more than 500 were Gene & Lois Noble (1000), Ralph & Joan Collipi (800), Jim & Bonnie Bahr (700) and Ray Brown (500).

National Carousels History Page 12 1ST NATIONAL ROUND DANCE FESTIVAL There was a growing desire for a higher-level all-round-dance event that was not dominated by S/D interests. The National Square Dance Conventions were the only source of nation-wide round dancing at the time. Round dancers were treated like second-class citizens at the S/D Nationals and they didn t like it! The round dance areas were set up so they were overpowered by the S/D sound equipment and the round dance program was a total loss. Idea Conceived At the 1976 National S/D Convention in Anaheim California, a round dance after-party had been pre-planned by the NCC #1 dancers. The Gilberts polled the Carousel clubs and they selected 43 out of 98 dances suggested. 11 NCC leaders cued to 350 dancers that attended. It was the only enjoyable round dancing of the convention. After the convention, Eddie and Audrey Palmquist invited the Gilberts and a few other couples to their home for barbecue and a swim. The ill treatment that round dancing received at the convention became the foremost subject of discussion and all agreed to work toward a National Round Dance Convention. The Palmquists suggested that the Gilberts use the Carousel organization and do the job. They tried to coordinate a combined convention with the Square Dancers, but they made it impossible. There still exists a famous "table cloth" that was signed in 1976 that is proof of the many and varied leaders who were in favor of an event "of our own". Planning for First National Festival So the Gilberts and leaders of NCC #1 (Blochs & Baurs & others) planned a Carousel Festival in Kansas City at the Muchlebach Hotel for the last weekend of July 1977. The Gilberts put up $4000 deposit. It was known as the "First National Round Dance Festival" and was a huge success. 329 couples (or 344) attended. It has also been called the First World Wide Round Dance Convention. Betty & Irv Easterday were the only teachers who were still active in 2005. It was such a success that they wanted to make it an annual affair.

National Carousels History Page 13 Flyers For 1st Annual National Round Dance Festival Flyers were mailed to all Carousel clubs with letters explaining the concept and asking for advance registration so they could ensure a financial success. The Festival Program was printed on the back of one flyer. They utilized two large wood floor ballrooms. The programs were similar; one for Intermediate and one for higher level dancing. Another flyer included a list of clinicians and an application blank. It announced R/D Group Demos as well as Professional Ballroom demonstrations.

National Carousels History Page 14 Planning for Future National Festivals So the Gilberts began another promotional campaign. They invited 12 available leaders to a quick meeting in a storage room, to try to establish a means for conducting a National Round Dance Convention each year. They agreed to organize and to call it Universal Round Dance Council, with the Gilberts as Board Chairman. The plan was announced to the convention-at-large and was approved by 200 people. URDC was created for the express purpose of sponsoring annual R/D conventions. URDC Sponsored Future Conventions The NCC sponsored the first convention, in 1977 (called a Festival). URDC sponsored the second convention in 1978 and all since then. URDC counts the number of conventions including the first, because Frank Gilbert wanted to number the conventions, not the age of URDC. CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 1972 NCC #1 started Oct, 1972. Frank & Iris were the leaders of National Carousel Club #1. 1976 NCC incorporated as non-profit organization in Florida. National Square Dance Convention in Anaheim, CA First National Round Dance Festival was conceived. 1977 First National Round Dance Festival held in Kansas City. Len & Winnie Taylor (NCC#34) were on staff of 1 st R/D Convention. URDC was conceived to conduct a national round dance convention. 1978 2 nd National Round Dance Convention held in Kansas City, now under sponsorship of URDC. 1990 International Roster was printed: 109 pages, photos of each leader couple along with brief history of the club and leaders, date started, etc. 1993 Frank Gilbert became ill and the NCC organization ground to a halt. NCC finances had been exhausted and the activities had been operating below cost and the Gilberts had been financing the shortfall. Lloyd & Nan Walker, who had been helping Frank Gilbert as his health and memory declined, assumed the title of "chaircouple pro tem" since the Carousel's had no elective process. Frank had always just recruited helpers when needed and appointed them to do various jobs (although he did most of the work himself). That's why it collapsed when he became ill. There was no formal structure other than Frank. Al Boyd assumed the responsibilities of receiving and preparing monthly reports from NCC leaders. 1994 Pat Hagan (RD teacher in Florida) was trying to publish the failing newsletter; but there was not enough income to pay for the printing and mailing. URDC donated $500 and some volunteers stepped forward and the NCC newsletter resumed publication. 1995 The volunteer staff could not carry on and the NCC organization and the newsletter were in danger of foundering. Pat Hagan resigned due to illness.

National Carousels History Page 15 1996 January: URDC offered to absorb the NCC rather than let this fine organization founder and perhaps go out of existence. A committee of URDC Board Members headed up by Brent Moore, which were also NCC leaders, conducted a year-long survey of NCC leaders to determine their opinion as to: (1) Re-establish as a separate organization; (2) Continue as part of URDC; (3) Disband completely. Of the 143 clubs polled, 80 responded and 73 preferred to continue with URDC. Numbering of new Carousel Clubs jumped from #256 to #300 because of uncertainty of which numbers had been assigned. 1997 March: Frank Gilbert died. July: URDC empowered a committee to recommend appropriate Bylaw changes for incorporation of the NCC into URDC. November: Lloyd & Nan Walker were still Chaircouple Pro Tem and welcoming new leaders to the NCC. URDC began publishing NCC New Teaches and Popular Dances in its newsletter. 1998 July: URDC voted to bring the NCC under its wing. Gene Noble and Lloyd Walker were commissioned to prepare a Section 17 for the URDC Supplemental Rules as to how the Carousels would operate with job descriptions, etc. 1999 July: The charter of National Carousel Clubs Inc. was phased out and a new URDC committee began administering NCC business. Gene & Lois Noble assumed position as URDC National Carousel Clubs Committee Chaircouple. They reported that 101 clubs were reporting. September: Jack Lane assumed job of NCC Reports Assistant from Al Boyd (who had done the job for six years. Al died the following year). October: Announcement by Gene Noble: 1). NCC has been incorporated into URDC; 2). URDC By-Laws Section 17 replaces previous NCC Operating Rules & Policies; 3). Submit monthly reports to Jack Lane; 2000 July: Gene Noble still Carousel Chairman. Jack Lane assumed duties of Carousel Chairman. 2001 July: Jack Lane (Carousel Chairman) reported that the Carousels are live and well and that there were 109 active clubs. He also submitted a gentler revision of the Supplemental Rules Section 17 to soften the requirements. September: Iris Gilbert died. 2002 July: The URDC website was first utilized for Carousel reports, club listings and application forms. 2003 July: 102 active Carousel Clubs. 2005 July: 101 active Carousel Clubs, although they are getting smaller in size. CREDITS Several NCC leaders and URDC officers have furnished original copies of NCC documents and have narrated parts of NCC history that they have lived themselves. Many thanks to them for volunteering information for this history story and allowing their quotes to be included herein. The URDC newsletters have carried articles over the years about NCC and its origin and progress. Many of those facts and comments are incorporated herein. URDC Minutes of Meetings were researched and typed by Kay Close (Secretary 2005). Comments, opinions and facts furnished by Brent Moore, Barbara Blackford, Sue Riley and others. This document was researched, created and published by Jack Lane in December, 2005. Authority for information is based on published documents and memories of a few NCC leaders who lived this history. Quotation marks are utilized to indicate opinions of others. Other opinions or conclusions are of the writer, based on information available at the time.